Frederick Knight: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Frederick Knight.jpg|right|thumb|275px]] | |||
'''Frederick Knight''' (born [[August 15]], [[1944]] in [[Bessemer]]) is an R&B singer, songwriter and record producer best known for his [[1972]] hit "I've Been Lonely For So Long" and for writing and producing Anita Bell's [[1979]] #1 hit "Ring My Bell". | '''Frederick Knight''' (born [[August 15]], [[1944]] in [[Bessemer]]) is an R&B singer, songwriter and record producer best known for his [[1972]] hit "I've Been Lonely For So Long" and for writing and producing Anita Bell's [[1979]] #1 hit "Ring My Bell". | ||
Knight grew up in a family that boasted several teachers. He graduated from [[Abrams High School]] where he became | Knight grew up in a family that boasted several teachers. He graduated from [[Abrams High School]] where he became interested in music, performing in several groups and with the school chorus. He attended [[Alabama A&M University|Alabama A&M]] on a music scholarship, and, after graduating, went to New York to launch his music career. | ||
Knight recorded "Throw the Switch" for Mercury and "Have a Little Mercy" for Capitol Records in New York, but failed to find much success. He returned to Bessemer to launch a home-grown music empire with his own publishing, production and management company, '''Frederick Knight Enterprises'''. He recorded "I've Been So Lonely For So Long" at [[Neal Hemphill]]'s [[Sound of Birmingham]] studio, where he also worked as an engineer. The song was written by Knight's wife [[Posie Knight|Posie]] along with [[Jerry Weaver]] and recorded with just a tambourine and wooden stool for percussion. | Knight recorded "Throw the Switch" for Mercury and "Have a Little Mercy" for Capitol Records in New York, but failed to find much success. He returned to Bessemer to launch a home-grown music empire with his own publishing, production and management company, '''Frederick Knight Enterprises'''. He recorded "I've Been So Lonely For So Long" at [[Neal Hemphill]]'s [[Sound of Birmingham]] studio, where he also worked as an engineer. The song was written by Knight's wife [[Posie Knight|Posie]] along with [[Jerry Weaver]] and recorded with just a tambourine and wooden stool for percussion. | ||
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They shopped the demo to Elijah Walker of Stax Records in Memphis, who distributed it nationally in [[1972]], earning gold record status. The single reached #8 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s R&B chart and #27 on the pop chart. He followed up with "I Betcha Didn't Know That", "Passing Thru", and "I Wanna Play With You" on Stax's "Truth Records" imprint. | They shopped the demo to Elijah Walker of Stax Records in Memphis, who distributed it nationally in [[1972]], earning gold record status. The single reached #8 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s R&B chart and #27 on the pop chart. He followed up with "I Betcha Didn't Know That", "Passing Thru", and "I Wanna Play With You" on Stax's "Truth Records" imprint. | ||
After Stax failed, Knight and a friend, [[Clinton Harris]] founded their own record company, Juana Records in [[1975]]. They signed "The Contollers", scoring a hit with "Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose", | After Stax failed, Knight and a friend, [[Clinton Harris]] founded their own record company, Juana Records in [[1975]]. They signed "The Contollers", scoring a hit with "Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose", followed by Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell", which reached #1 on the pop charts. In [[2000]] Juana expanded into the Gospel field with the "Juana Praise" label, which represented [[Debra Snipes]] among other artists. | ||
Knight's songs have been recorded by numerous luminaries including K. C. and the Sunshine Band, Barry White, and D. J. Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dog's [[1993]] #1 hit "Nothin' But A G Thang" sampled heavily from Knight's single "Uphill (Peace of Mind)". Two of Knight's Birmingham Sound tracks are included in the ''[[The Birmingham Sound: The Soul of Neal Hemphill]]''. | Knight's songs have been recorded by numerous luminaries including K. C. and the Sunshine Band, Barry White, and D. J. Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dog's [[1993]] #1 hit "Nothin' But A G Thang" sampled heavily from Knight's single "Uphill (Peace of Mind)". Two of Knight's Birmingham Sound tracks are included in the ''[[The Birmingham Sound: The Soul of Neal Hemphill]]''. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Frederick-Knight/ About Frederick Knight]" (August 1971) Concord Music Group | * "[http://www.concordmusicgroup.com/artists/Frederick-Knight/ About Frederick Knight]" (August 1971) Concord Music Group | ||
==External links== | |||
* "[http://alabamalama.blogspot.com/2009/06/legendary-sauerkraut-of-birmingham.html Legendary Sauerkraut of Birmingham]" on Alabamalala, with recording of Knight's "Sauerkraut" | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Frederick}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Frederick}} | ||
Latest revision as of 01:03, 8 March 2010
Frederick Knight (born August 15, 1944 in Bessemer) is an R&B singer, songwriter and record producer best known for his 1972 hit "I've Been Lonely For So Long" and for writing and producing Anita Bell's 1979 #1 hit "Ring My Bell".
Knight grew up in a family that boasted several teachers. He graduated from Abrams High School where he became interested in music, performing in several groups and with the school chorus. He attended Alabama A&M on a music scholarship, and, after graduating, went to New York to launch his music career.
Knight recorded "Throw the Switch" for Mercury and "Have a Little Mercy" for Capitol Records in New York, but failed to find much success. He returned to Bessemer to launch a home-grown music empire with his own publishing, production and management company, Frederick Knight Enterprises. He recorded "I've Been So Lonely For So Long" at Neal Hemphill's Sound of Birmingham studio, where he also worked as an engineer. The song was written by Knight's wife Posie along with Jerry Weaver and recorded with just a tambourine and wooden stool for percussion.
They shopped the demo to Elijah Walker of Stax Records in Memphis, who distributed it nationally in 1972, earning gold record status. The single reached #8 on Billboard's R&B chart and #27 on the pop chart. He followed up with "I Betcha Didn't Know That", "Passing Thru", and "I Wanna Play With You" on Stax's "Truth Records" imprint.
After Stax failed, Knight and a friend, Clinton Harris founded their own record company, Juana Records in 1975. They signed "The Contollers", scoring a hit with "Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose", followed by Anita Ward's "Ring My Bell", which reached #1 on the pop charts. In 2000 Juana expanded into the Gospel field with the "Juana Praise" label, which represented Debra Snipes among other artists.
Knight's songs have been recorded by numerous luminaries including K. C. and the Sunshine Band, Barry White, and D. J. Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince. Dr. Dre & Snoop Doggy Dog's 1993 #1 hit "Nothin' But A G Thang" sampled heavily from Knight's single "Uphill (Peace of Mind)". Two of Knight's Birmingham Sound tracks are included in the The Birmingham Sound: The Soul of Neal Hemphill.
References
- "About Frederick Knight" (August 1971) Concord Music Group
External links
- "Legendary Sauerkraut of Birmingham" on Alabamalala, with recording of Knight's "Sauerkraut"